Click above to watch a video from the Philadelphia, Miss., Neshoba County Fair, where the company continued celebrations of our 125th anniversary.
The annual Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Mississippi, brings thousands of people from around the state together to enjoy agricultural events, live concerts, horse races and carnival rides — not to mention Southern hospitality and culture.
“Once people come to Philadelphia, we want to show them, ‘Hey, we’re glad you’re here,’” says Scott Bounds, president of the Neshoba County Fair Association and Mississippi State Representative for District 44.
The fair, held July 29 to Aug. 5 this year, was established in 1889 by a small group of farmers. Beginning as a community event, it has since grown into an eight-day celebration known for its unique ‘cabin culture.’ Hundreds of colorful wooden cabins are built in winding rows throughout the fairgrounds, each owned by a different family and often passed down through generations. Though the cabins are empty most of the year, they may house up to 40 people during the fair.
Butch Copeland, raw material representative at our lumber mill in Philadelphia, was born and raised in Neshoba County. His grandfather and great aunt built their cabin on the fairgrounds 60 years ago. Today, four generations of Copelands gather during the fair to share meals, play corn hole and watch harness racing from the cabin’s front porch — the family named their cabin the Horse Shoe Inn due to its proximity to the racetrack.
Having grown up attending the fair, Butch says the best part is the camaraderie and the friendship built over the years.
“It’s like one big family reunion,” he says. “Everybody cooks in the morning and in the afternoon, you all share food and fellowship with one another. You know your neighbors by their first names.”
Butch was also one of several Weyerhaeuser volunteers staffing the booth at the fair’s Founders Square, handing out 125th anniversary hats and t-shirts while chatting with neighbors and passersby.
“The future of the company are the people who live here,” he says. “Giving back to the community is important — it shows you’re invested in it. You want this company to be sustained throughout the years, so it’s important to be invested here, especially through things like scholarships and event sponsorships.”
For mill manager and Philadelphia native Kris Robertson, a third-generation employee who’s worked at the company for 26 years, it’s important to be part of a company creating opportunities for future generations — including for his son, who is now an electrician at the mill.
“When I think about Weyerhaeuser’s core values, sustainability resonates with me the most,” Kris says. “If I’m remembered for one thing once I’ve retired, I’d like it to be that I did my part to make sure this mill is sustainable, which means it continues to be economically competitive, strong and viable into the future.”
Weyerhaeuser’s commitment to keep its operations thriving is appreciated by the people in Philadelphia, Neshoba County and beyond.
“Weyerhaeuser has been a community partner here in Philadelphia and Neshoba County for a long time,” Scott says. “Timber has remained one of the most important agricultural products that we have in Neshoba County, and Weyerhaeuser’s commitment to the mill since 1967 — expanding it, modernizing it and increasing its capacity — really means a lot to the community.”
A team from Weyerhaeuser was on hand to help capture the festivities as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations this year, and you can check out the video above and photos below to learn more about Philadelphia!
